Ajak Deng, a refugee from South Sudan now living in the Rhino Camp settlement in Uganda’s West Nile region, has endured unimaginable loss. “I lost my loving mom, my dear dad, and my siblings during the war,” he says, haunted by memories of a family he cherished. Only 14 years old when his world was shattered, Ajak was outside playing soccer when rebels attacked his village. He vividly recalls seeing armed men unleash gunfire on his home. Terrified and alone, he fled. After days wandering through the wilderness, hungry and afraid, he finally arrived in Uganda. The refugee camp offered shelter and safety, but life was far from easy.
Now 20, Ajak has spent six years in the camp, where he struggles to build a life amid the memories of his lost family. Determined to provide for his wife and two young children, he opened a small shop last year. However, with so many others competing for the same customers, profits remained low, barely enough to get by. “I’d try to sell whatever I could, but in this heat, people only want something cold to drink,” he recalls. But without electricity, providing chilled drinks was an impossible dream—until a young man from Popo Universal Africa approached him with a solar-powered fridge.
Skeptical at first, Ajak couldn’t believe a fridge could run entirely on solar power. Yet, as the man explained the concept, and how he could purchase the fridge through affordable installments, Ajak felt a flicker of hope. He sensed this could be a turning point, an opportunity not just to survive but to thrive. He decided to take a chance and ordered one fridge.
Two days later, the fridge arrived, and with it, a new chapter in Ajak’s life began. “It was the best decision I ever made,” he says, his voice brightening. The fridge reliably keeps his drinks ice-cold, an instant draw in the sweltering heat of the camp. Soon, people started flocking to his shop for refreshing, chilled water, juice, and soda. Not only did his drink sales skyrocket, but customers also began purchasing other items in his shop. With increased profits, Ajak is now able to pay for his children’s school fees, restock his shop, and even save money for future investments. But most importantly, he notes, "the fridge can pay for itself".
For Ajak, the fridge represents more than just a business asset; it’s a symbol of resilience and hope. “Now, other shop owners are getting fridges too, but I’m not worried,” he says. “I want to finish paying for this one and buy a second fridge.” In a place where resources are limited, Ajak’s story is a testament to the power of innovation and opportunity. This simple solar fridge has transformed his life, bringing stability to his family and renewing his dreams for the future.
PS: The fridges distributed by Popo Universal Africa are manufactured by the Sure Chill company Limited. Ceri Jones, Diana Sasi, Gemma King, Uganda Energy Credit Capitalisation Company, Uganda Solar Energy Association,
